MLS Matchday 26 recap: LA Galaxy shock LAFC late in El Tráfico, FC Cincinnati moves back into first in East

MLS Matchday 26 only provided action on Saturday, but there were some changes in both conferences. The MLS All-Star game is on Wednesday evening, and Matchday 27 will kick off on Friday.

The Philadelphia Union were at the top of MLS’s Eastern Conference heading into the weekend, but now FC Cincinnati is back at the top. The Union drew 1-1 against the Houston Dynamo while Cincinnati picked up a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

Out West, El Tráfico was the main headline. LAFC were the favorites entering the night, but you can never count out the LA Galaxy in this rivalry. LAFC saw themselves in the lead in the later stages of the second half, but the Galaxy put on a comeback and tied the match in the 90+7′ thanks to a goal from Maya Yoshida. The Galaxy picked up a point in what was a match dominated by LAFC in the beginning.

The MLS All-Star break is here, so let’s recap the best five matches from MLS Matchday 26.

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Stoppages galore in Houston

Alejandro Bedoya got the Union off to a hot start with a goal in the 15th minute, but then former Union player Jack McGlynn equalized from a penalty in the 45+10′.

The Union were given a penalty in the later part of the second half, but the call was overturned after Nathan Harriel was called for a foul while going for a header. Attempting to create some offensive momentum, Frankie Westfield was given a red card in the 90+9′, leaving the Union down to 10 men for the final few minutes. Houston came close to taking the lead in the final moments, but a shot hit the post, giving the Union a sigh of relief.

The biggest stat line of the night was that there were 84 stoppages of play throughout the match. Forty-four occurred in the first half and 40 in the second. With the draw, the Union slid from first to third in the Eastern Conference.

Galaxy stuns LAFC late in El Tráfico

LAFC was cooking throughout the majority of El Tráfico, but the LA Galaxy stormed back late to leave BMO Stadium with a 3-3 draw.

Dennis Bouanga bagged a brace, and Javairo Dilrosun added to the goal sheet for LAFC. In the 90+2′, Eddie Segura was sent off with a red card for LAFC, giving the Galaxy momentum for a late push. Being up a man provided dividends for the Galaxy, as Maya Yoshida scored the equalizer in the 90+7′, giving his side a point that didn’t seem likely entering the second half.

Messi is back to scoring braces

Lionel Messi’s scoring streak ended in Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, but he might have started a new streak in a 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Alexander Hack had Red Bulls up 1-0 in the 15th minute, but then Miami scored five straight goals, three of which were in the first half. Messi’s playmaking was on display with his assist to Jordi Alba in the 24th minute, and his goal-scoring came right back with a brace (60′, 75′).

Western leaders draw

The top two teams in MLS’s Western Conference battled to a 1-1 draw at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego CB Manu Duah scored an own goal in the 40th minute, which gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. In the 79th minute, Ian Pilcher equalized for San Diego to bring the match level.

San Diego is still at the top of the West with 43 points, and Vancouver is right behind them with 42.

Cincinnati is back on top of the East, for now

The top of MLS’s Eastern Conference has seen constant changes throughout this season, and now FC Cincinnati is back in first place for the time being after picking up a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

It wasn’t until the 87th minute that Cincinnati got on the scoreboard. Luca Orellano fired a shot from outside the box that found its way into the top right corner. It was the match’s only goal, but it was the only one that was needed.

MLS Table after Matchday 26

MLS’s Eastern Conference

FC Cincinnati – 48 pts
Nashville SC – 47 pts
Philadelphia Union – 47 pts
Columbus Crew – 44 pts
Inter Miami – 41 pts
Orlando City – 38 pts
Charlotte FC – 35 pts
NYCFC – 35 pts
New York Red Bulls – 33 pts
Chicago Fire – 32 pts
New England Revolution – 25 pts
Toronto FC – 21 pts
Atlanta United – 20 pts
D.C. United – 19 pts
CF Montreal – 15 pts

MLS’s Western Conference

San Diego FC – 43 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 42 pts
Minnesota United – 41 pts
Seattle Sounders – 37 pts
LAFC – 36 pts
Portland Timbers – 34 pts
Colorado Rapids – 30 pts
Austin FC – 30 pts
Real Salt Lake – 28 pts
Houston Dynamo – 27 pts
FC Dallas – 25 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 24 pts
St. Louis City – 18 pts
LA Galaxy – 16 pts